With the Inter Milan vs Barcelona live matchup having gripped the entire football world, questions have already been raised if the clash would be an occasion befitting the actual UEFA Champions League final rather than the last four. There is no doubt that between the two semi finals, this tie brings with it a certain amount of glamour and prestige that the other encounter will struggle to live up to. Both the Italian and Spanish champions are traditional giants in European football, ranking consistently at the top and feature the bigger draw in terms of players, compared to Bayern Munich against Lyon.

Consider the footballers that will take to the pitch during the first leg in the Giuseppe Meazza. Inter Milan boast the talents of Samuel Eto'o - he who used to turn out for the enemy up until last season, Wesley Sneijder, Diego Milito and Lucio. Dutchman Sneijder has been a major revelation since his arrival from Real Madrid. Part midfield magician and part water carrier, the player has been cited as the final piece in Mourinho's jigsaw at the Serie A club. With him pulling the strings in the middle of the park, Inter Milan are a decidedly more creative force. That often allows Diego Milito more room to roam upfront as he shares his attacking duties with partner in crime Eto'o and winter arrival Goran Pandev. Lucio has added a ball playing quality to the back four while allying himself to the tackling strengths of his central defensive colleague Walter Samuel.

La Liga champions Barcelona are rightly a star studded side. Boasting internationals in every position, they also have what many consider the best player in the world of his generation - Lionel Messi. The Argentinian has been in the spotlight quite often recently with four hat tricks in a matter of weeks, the latest of which was against Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the same competition. The ease with which he and fellow midfielder Xavi have taken apart other teams including Real Madrid has left fans salivating and begging for more. The Catalan giants also boast embarrassing riches in attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bojan Krkic and Thierry Henry offering various options when going forward. A defence superbly marshalled by club captain Carlos Puyol also has Gerard Pique and Dani Alves who can all protect Victor Valdes in goal, yet they often contribute offensively when popping up at the other end to score a number of goals.

As with most of Mourinho's teams, Inter Milan will be a masterclass in defensive containment, suffocation and elimination. Barcelona can expect to be harried on the ball from the first whistle - something they failed to come to grips with against Espanyol prior to their trip to the Serie A champions. Pep Guardiola will be especially worried after witnessing his midfield crowded out during that league fixture. To make things worse, the Spanish team have to take on a marathon road trip due to air traffic disruptions caused by the recent volcanic ash cloud in Poland. What would have normally been a couple of hours' flight mutated into a 12 hour coach ride. The protracted journey is certain to lead to considerable fatigue for the visitors, especially nearing the end of a long season. Such developments play right into the hands of Mourinho, whose tactics are often based on a high powered pressing game that is designed to pounce on any opponent's mistake. It would hardly be surprising if Barcelona turned to a more cautious approach before waiting to finish off the job back home at the Nou Camp.

Whether this semi final would be worthy of a live Champions League final is something that will have arguments both for and against the idea, but what is certain is that both teams are truly worthy of being part of a tournament that has always been billed as one for the best clubs in Europe. Fans might be treated to an exciting clash with plenty of end to end action, or they could be left disappointed if the teams decide to spend more time defending. The best scenario would be for a result that still left plenty to play for come the second leg at Spain's Nou Camp, where the atmosphere of the Barcelona vs Inter Milan clash could be gripped with even greater intensity.

Seldom has a derby taken on a greater significance than the one that will occur in the Manchester City vs Manchester United live encounter in the aptly named City of Manchester Stadium. While it will not be the first time that the two clubs have come head to head - the derby is now into its 159th edition - the rise of the former means the clash carries with it even greater reward, or risk, depending on the result relative to either. Win or lose however, logic and the form book will be flung out the window as passion takes centre stage in the rivalry.

Ask any City fan who they would want to beat the most each and every season and the answer would emphatically be Manchester United. The Red Devils are the only team the Citizens have to get one over and whatever happens the rest of the year would be acceptable for their fans. Afterall, they have lived through several lifetimes of underachievement and disappointment can be replaced by local bragging rights.

The financial emergence of Manchester City is slowly seeing that attitude give way to greater demands. Not just from fans but also from a club owner who has taken on huge investments to lift the club out of its doldrums. In particular, this season has seen the club spend close to 200 million pounds in order to challenge English football's established order. Failure to reach the publicly stated goal of Champions League football for next season would surely see heads rolling when the season comes to its conclusion.

The situation at Manchester United is more of a given than an expectation. Ever since the club's gradual reinvention under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson, a team better known for being the most popular in the world is also now one of the most successful on the pitch, both domestically, in Europe and perhaps, globally. So much so that the season will be deemed a failure if the Red Devils end with only the Carling Cup to show for their effort.

Which brings us to the focus of the 159th Manchester derby that both teams dare not lose. Past derbies have usually carried greater relevance for United's fortune but this time, neither club can afford not to win. It would be a nightmare for the one that comes off the pitch defeated. Even a draw would not suit either club as it would be considered two points dropped rather than one gained.

Manchester City will be driven by the enthusiastic running of their marquee signing - Carlos Tevez. Once a Red Devil, Tevez made the trek across the Manchester divide at the risk of infuriating his once adoring United fans, but not without reason. There will be extra spice to the encounter with Tevez eager to put one over Ferguson after the United manager publicly ridiculed the player for not justifying the 20 million pounds his agent demanded for him to sign on permanently for the Old Trafford outfit. It could yet come back to haunt Ferguson with Tevez having scored more than 20 goals in a season which could end in glory for both himself and City as they inch closer to their aim of a Champions League appearance next season. Fulfilling the latter could mean a new era of success for the club that has lived far too long in United's shadow.

Old Trafford has been witness to much gloom over the last two weeks ever since Wayne Rooney turned on his ankle. His enforced absence has left Manchester United stunned after an exit from the Champions League quarterfinals, while their title challenge has been hit hard without Rooney's goals. The over reliance on Rooney might be clear for all to see, but for Ferguson, Rooney's return could not have been better timed with four matches to go in the Premier League. Manchester United now have a four point gap to make up on Chelsea, and to do so in the Manchester City vs Manchester United live derby by beating their neighbours would be especially sweet.